https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:08:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2002665 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:54:14 +0000 sarac 2002665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wonderful. We had a bit of trouble at first - she was in the nicu, wouldn't latch, had to pump. Then we got over that quickly and nursed until 28 months. I don't think I'll nurse my second nearly so long, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001969 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 07:10:39 +0000 NovBaby1112 2001969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I look back fondly at it. We had a rough start at first (oversupply, forceful letdown, LO not latching) and I wanted to give up the first 6-8 weeks. Stuck with it and it was smooth sailing after that. LO self weaned at 10.5 months, and at the time I was upset, but in hindsight I'm actually very happy I didn't have to force her to wean. I'm really happy about my experience and I hope to have the same with Lo2, but hopefully less issues in the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001923 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 04:12:31 +0000 808love 2001923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was a pain and exhausting at first. Then I became a pro for two years. Lol. As for aligning with the pro bf research, I think it did promote good eating habits, perhaps made her smarter, but didn't really help the immunity that I could notice. Glad I did it but man, it was a lot of work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001116 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 13:43:54 +0000 78h2o 2001116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember how hard you worked! I had a hard time and that was even with my milk coming in right away. LO had a lip tie that wasn't recognized until months later, and I think that adversely affected her latch. I had a lot of pain, mastitis, etc. I really stressed myself out to meet my goal of EBF until 6 mo, despite low supply. I nursed like crazy, pumped like crazy, and didn't sleep a lot. I don't feel like it adversely affected our relationship, but I can imagine how it might have. My mood was not affected, but I did feel exhausted. I combo fed from 7-11 months, when she self-weaned. Combo feeding was still hard, but much less stressful.</p> <p>When I look back on the experience, I am proud of what I accomplished. It was quite a learning experience. I wish I could have avoided supplementing, but I don't feel bad about it.</p> <p>When deciding whether or not to have a second child, I gave myself permission to supplement earlier if I need to. I really wanted my DD to have a sibling, and I realized the stress of nursing/meeting supply needs was one of the things that was holding me back. I think I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself the first time around and I decided that it would be okay to do things differently if need be. This time around, I plan to do things differently anyway...I am going to try to establish a better supply and stash early on, by pumping from the beginning in addition to nursing. I went to a weekly support group last time, but this time I am going to see a lactation consultant 1:1. Also, if LO has a tongue or lip tie, I plan to get it clipped immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001096 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 13:32:00 +0000 loveisstrange 2001096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: There's actually studies done that found that BF babies have MORE ear infections. She needs to do some research and stop spouting off BS like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001045 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:56:53 +0000 mediagirl 2001045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try not to think about it because I hated pumping so much!!! Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001044 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:56:11 +0000 Andrea 2001044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never think about it. It seems so unimportant in the grand scheme of things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001037 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:53:22 +0000 edelweiss 2001037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i remember it being a lot of work, particularly when i traveled away from LO. i wish it hadn't been so stressful at the beginning (milk supply not coming in, sleepy nurser), and i wish i had learned to be comfortable nursing in public, but overall i feel good about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001027 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:49:01 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2001027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm almost totally over it. We couldn't fb because LO was a preemie and had trouble eating and with reflux, so besides a little suckling, we didn't even get to try. And we also used half formula from almost the beginning because it helped him to actually eat...even though my supply was fine. I pumped for 11 months which I was happy about. Having two years pass has made it not feel like it matters much which is nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2001005 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:20:59 +0000 HabesBabe 2001005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like some of the PPs, I don't think about it at all. I had a good experience, C nursed until she was 15 months (although she was only snacking/comfort nursing for the last 3 months of it since we introduced cows milk). I had an overactive letdown and one clogged duct, so not many issues to complain about.</p> <p>I think too much emphasis is put on breastfeeding vs. formula. Honestly, who gives a crap? As long as you're not giving your kid soda, I couldn't care less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000999 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:18:03 +0000 LuLu Mom 2000999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my DD could never latch, we tried everything and had 3 different LCs try, I just wanted her out of the NICU so we used formula to get rid of the jaundice. I pumped and did bottles and then she started to have reflux and sever vomiting, it was decided to switch her to formula and I stopped pumping. I was never 100% on board with breastfeeding, so I was okay with this. </p> <p>However, DD2 I would like to breastfeed over pumping to save me some time (pumping then feeding took a lot out of me) I was always blessed with a decent supply, however it was only a few weeks so who knows how long it would have lasted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000997 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:15:15 +0000 Charm54 2000997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: Yeah, I would say daycare is where the ear infection stemmed from rather than the formula she stopped having 4 months ago, but it wasn't worth the fight :p I was just surprised I was able to shrug it off rather than burst into tears like I would have this time last year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000994 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:10:31 +0000 Mamasig 2000994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: what a bunch of crap!!! I know plenty of breastfed babies who had tubes and get sick! I think daycare not formula is the culprit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000978 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 11:55:07 +0000 Charm54 2000978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I rarely think about it anymore. Seeing what a happy, bonded little girl DD is makes me realize that a lot of the things I was told when I was bottle feeding DD are over generalized. They hurt me back then, but now I know I did the best for her and for me.</p> <p>Last week I had dd at a consult to get tubes in her ears for a persistent ear infection. My aunt, a LLL leader told me over the holidays : "It's probably all that formula - breast fed babies rarely need tubes". I just rolled my eyes, whereas a few months ago I would have bawled at that comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000934 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 11:29:52 +0000 birdofafeather 2000934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just stopped 6 months ago a little after 18 months but I had a very positive experience. Even after a couple months out though, I'm glad to have this time not pregnant and not BFing for logistics. I'm nervous about the second time around because I won't have all the same time to spend making sure we're all set set correctly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000594 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:55:48 +0000 lamariniere 2000594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: totally agree with that second paragraph! That's the mentality I had going into BF baby 2. Luckily, we had zero issues and it has been a very pleasant experience!</p> <p>I had major issues BF LO1 though, the first 3 months were pretty horrific. Once we got over the issues, we went on to BF until he was 13 months. He's now 4, and while I am glad we did BF as long as we did, I only ever thought about it leading up to BF LO2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000590 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:12:18 +0000 Cherrybee 2000590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E is 17 months (so not quite 2+) but I'm going to answer because this thread made me realise that the pain is ebbing away...... I basically didn't make any milk and had to FF from the start, but not before I put myself through hell and back trying to BF. I thought that the hurt around never leave me, that Id always feel sad, unbonded and a useless mother. But I don't. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000541 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 23:58:12 +0000 Doodlesmama 2000541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Feeding was a definite struggle and ended with me pumping 8 times a day, still needing to supplement with formula. Looking back now, I think I was crazy for letting feeding take so much of my spirit. I felt like a failure even though I was doing absolutely everything in my power to breastfeed. I wish I would have stayed away from the internet so I could have left out a feeling of guilt for not doing the 'best thing for my baby.'</p> <p>Now with a two year old I am happy if he eats anything! I look forward to baby #2, so I can just go with the flow, if breastfeeding works, Awesome! If not, oh well, lets go to Costco and get some formula :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000512 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 23:22:23 +0000 Mamasig 2000512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: I second that!!! I bf my 1st for 2 weeks and my 2nd for 1 week. If I have a 3rd, I don't know if I'll even try. Breastfeeding was not all roses and sunshine for me. Yay formula! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000388 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 21:28:11 +0000 Beehive 2000388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was very different from what I originally expected, as I wasn't committed to breastfeeding, but decided to give it a try - and I ended up breastfeeding for 17 months. It was a great experience, and I'm glad I did it. In retrospect, though, I didn't start feeling like "me" again until after I weaned. I didn't realize it at the time though. I just thought about this again recently when a friend who also has a 2 year old (who fully weaned about a month ago) mentioned that she felt different now, like herself again. I think knowing that will make it harder to go as long with #2, though maybe not, as I know it will be the last time. So hard to say! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000375 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 21:19:07 +0000 yoursilverlining 2000375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never think about infant feeding or breast feeding vs. formula feeding because in the grand scheme of things (even just 2.5 years out) it's just small potatoes. Women have always had trouble bf'ing; it isn't a very efficient "natural" process, so why should I have any guilt giving my daughter plenty of food specifically engineered to meet her needs? I don't have any guilt for formula feeding - LO and I, and just as importantly, LO and her father had fantastic bonding times while giving a bottle. </p> <p>So, I feel fine with it - but honestly, I never think about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000342 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:59:36 +0000 yerpie110 2000342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 2 and we were blessed that breastfeeding was a breeze. No pain, minimal issues (plugged ducts every now and then), I had an oversupply, we easily made it to a year, and she self-weaned quickly when we were both ready. I look back fondly and now that I'm pregnant with #2, I have no issues with formula feeding if I need to since I had such an amazing experience the first time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000322 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:42:32 +0000 yellowbird 2000322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel satisfied. We struggled with some latch issues and had to use a shield until 5 months, but I'm glad we could make it work especially with pumping at work. I'm grateful it was not a stressful experience. I'm definitely open to whatever works for #2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000318 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:40:10 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2000318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nostalgic! I had a pleasant breast feeding experience and feel very thankful for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000304 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:28:09 +0000 SleepyMonkey 2000304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My breastfeeding journey was relatively easy in a physical sense. No pain, no problems, enough supply. Mentally is was a challenge because I had lost control of my day. So I hated it a lot for the first 8 weeks. After that i grew to love it until about 10 months and then I was ready to be done. I made it to 14 months and dropping it was easy for both LO and me. that being said, I don't expect it'll be that easy with LO #2 and if i do struggle, I'm happy to switch to formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000229 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:31:57 +0000 loveisstrange 2000229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meh. Ain't nobody got time for that. That's how I feel. Lol. Mostly, I'm mad about how much new moms are lied to, coerced, and guilted about it. </p> <p>If we have another, we'll probably do formula from the start. The idea of something literally latched to me all day every day seems kind of like hell to me. Yay for science! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000227 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:29:37 +0000 erinpye 2000227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very traumatic BF experience with DD1, and by 8.5 months she was FF. She's 2.5 yrs now, I'm still BF her sister at 10.5 months, and I don't even think about it. I used to feel guilty and sad, but I honestly don't anymore. My kid was fed, and is healthy and thriving now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000222 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:26:05 +0000 regberadaisy 2000222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD 1 is 32 M and I'm very happy with our breastfeeding + supplementing relationship. My milk didn't come in till day 3 or 4 and to say colostrum wasn't enough for her is a gross understatement. We took her to the ER at day 3 because she wouldn't stop crying for 6 hours straight. Literally. Basically I was in all literal sense starving my newborn.<br /> Because of that I had no qualms supplementing with formula. I pumped 2-3x a day till she was 13months and we supplemented when we needed to. After that I stopped pumping become supply dropped and we nursed 1-3x a day till she was about 25m?<br /> I also had to eliminate all major dairy. </p> <p>@DillonLion: this time around my supply is so much better! I even have a tiny freezer stash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000213 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:18:17 +0000 MamaBehr 2000213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My middle child, couldn't nurse. We struggled and struggled. Bad latch, low milk supply, little weight gain, and he was formula fed by 3 months old. It doesn't bother me as much anymore, but I have just successfully finished EBF my youngest to a year old, so that might help too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-is-older-2-how-do-you-feel-about-your-feeding-experience-breastfeeding-or-formula#post-2000196 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:04:07 +0000 blackbird 2000196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E is 21 months and I shake my head at all the wasted effort and how much I let it affect me. Ain't nobody gives a shit anymore, including me ;)</p> <p>I feel like it'll be much easier with this baby. I'll BF if it's easy but otherwise, fuck it. Being a good parent is so much more than breastmilk </p>